Lead-Employee & Labor Relations Advisor

Job Responsibilities

• Serve as a lead resource and subject matter expert for complex employee and labor relations matters, providing consultation and guidance to leaders, HR partners, and employees.
• Conduct and oversee complex, sensitive, and high-risk workplace investigations involving concerns such as discrimination, harassment, retaliation, workplace misconduct, policy violations, and other employee grievances.
• Analyze investigation findings, assess organizational risk, and develop recommendations that support fair, consistent, and legally compliant outcomes.
• Mentor, coach, and provide day-to-day guidance to Employee & Labor Relations Advisors to support capability development, consistency in practice, and professional growth.
• Aid in establishing team priorities, managing caseload distribution, and promoting efficient service delivery across the Employee Relations function.
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Employee Relations programs, policies, procedures, and initiatives.
• Interpret and apply employment laws, regulations, organizational policies, and best practices to support decision-making and risk mitigation.
• Assist in developing and maintaining collaborative partnerships with leaders, HR teams, Legal, Compliance, and other stakeholders to address workplace concerns and support organizational objectives.
• Analyze trends, metrics, and workforce data to identify opportunities for proactive employee relations interventions and continuous improvement.
• Support audits, reporting requirements, compliance activities, and special projects related to Employee Relations programs and practices.
• Manage relationships with external vendors and service providers, ensuring contractual obligations and service expectations are met.
• Lead team meetings and facilitate discussions that drive collaboration, accountability, and results.
• Respond to urgent employee relations matters by traveling between organizational locations on short notice to provide timely consultation, conduct investigations, facilitate meetings, and support business and operational needs.

Requirements

• Minimum Education: Bachelor's Degree required.
• Minimum Experience: Minimum Requirement: 5+ years of experience in an employee relations or similar role handling ER activities.
• Experience researching complex human resources-related issues and implementing courses of action.
• Experience managing audits, surveys, and performing complex reporting and analyses; Work Day experience preferred.
• Some experience in planning and managing delivery in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Some experience guiding/ mentoring people.
• Proven performance in earlier role.
• Licensure, Registration and/or Certification Required: SHRM-CP or Professional in Human Resources (PHR) OR Employee Relations Investigations Certification, preferred.

Special Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality in highly sensitive situations.
• Strong investigative, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional consultation, conflict resolution, mediation, and influencing skills.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex issues with clarity and diplomacy.
• Proven ability to build credibility and trusted partnerships across all levels of the organization.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Proficiency with HRIS systems and reporting tools; Workday experience preferred.
• Ability to leverage workforce data and trends to inform recommendations and improve Employee Relations practices.